Exercise

Long lines and plenty of limitations on the other side of Spain’s pandemic experience A Madrid hairdresser and a shoe salesman struggle to reopenThis past week has brought some new freedoms, and the courage to revisit the hairdresser in Madrid.

Dow ends up 211 points but gains were cut in half headed into the close as Pfizer’s stock slump weighed Nasdaq Composite erases its losses for the year to rise less than 0.1% so far in 2020U.S. benchmark stock indexes opened higher Thursday, with the technology-laden Nasdaq Composite index recovering all its year-to-date losses suffered when the coronavirus pandemic crushed the 11-year old bull market in March.

Dow futures climb slightly Wednesday evening ahead of jobless claims and parade of Fed speakersU.S. stock-index futures were trading slightly higher Wednesday evening, but have been choppy, as investors prepare for a report on weekly jobless claims and a host of speakers on the Federal Reserve that might offer more insights about the state of a rapidly deteriorating economy due to national procedures in place to avert a deeper crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were trading up 52 points, or 0.2%, at 23,569, at last check Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time. Those for the S&P 500 index were trading 0.3% higher at 2,841.25, while Nasdaq-100 futures were gaining 0.4% at 8,987.75. During Wednesday's regular session, the Dow fell 218.45 points, or 0.9%, to finish at 23,664.64. The S&P 500 shed 20.02 points, or 0.7%, to end at 2,848.42, with declines for those benchmarks coming in the last hour of trade. The Nasdaq Composite , meanwhile, climbed 45.27 points, or 0.5%, to close at 8,854.39, only 1.3% off for the year to date, as investors continue to buy technology-related betting that they will fare the best in the aftermath of the deadly epidemic. Markets have struggled during the homestretch of regular trade on Wall Street lately as investors fight to identify a catalyst to drive stocks to further gains against a backdrop of history-setting economic pain playing out and that which also lies ahead. Thursday's report on those seeking unemployment benefits is likely to show that another 3 million Americans are out of work, adding to the already 30 million figure that has been racked up over the past two months. In corporate news, shares of Peloton are likely to surge in Thursday regular trade after the exercise-equipment maker reported that quarterly sales hit $524.6 million, up 66% from the year before, thanks to a surge in sales for folks under stay-at-home policies. However, shares of Grubhub Inc. fell more than 4% in the extended session Wednesday after the company missed earnings expectations and did not issue revenue guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And Costco Wholesale Corp. said late Wednesday that its April sales fell 1.8% as skyrocketing e-commerce sales didn't make up for a drop in foot traffic at its stores. In Fed speakers, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari and Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker.

Spring sun draws many outside in US and Europe as coronavirus lockdowns ease Though grateful to be outdoors, people were still wary. Masks were worn everywhere, even on southern U.S. beaches and by some joggers in Spain.Gorgeous spring weather across the United States and Europe on Saturday drew people cooped up inside for weeks outside to soak in the sun, even as additional coronavirus hot spots in Russia and Pakistan emerged.

Spaniards fill streets for first time in seven weeks as Europe relaxes lockdown but Russian numbers spike The virus has killed more than 238,000 people worldwide, including more than 65,000 in the United StatesSpaniards filled the streets Saturday to exercise outside in gorgeous spring weather for the first time in seven weeks, while German children rushed to playgrounds as countries in Western Europe moved ahead with the gradual relaxation of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Spain’s Sanchez announces plan to gradually reopen its economy over several weeks Spain’s prime minister announces a de-escalation plan to bring the country back to life after a six week shutdown to battle the deadly coronavirus.

Coronavirus update: German infection rate ticks higher after reopening moves, offers lesson to U.S. governors Caterpillar says 75% of facilities are operating and Merck expects virus to shave $2.1 billion off full-year revenueU.S. governors pushing to reopen their states after COVID-19-driven lockdowns may want to look to Germany on Tuesday, where early attempts to lift restrictions on movement had led to an increase in the coronavirus infection rate.

Dow extends win streak to four sessions, as investors look forward to easing of coronavirus lockdowns General Motors suspends dividend and share repurchasesU.S. stock benchmarks extended their rally Monday, closing 1% or more higher, as coronavirus lockdowns began to ease in several countries.

Global death toll tops 200,000 as some virus lockdowns eased The worldwide death toll was at 201,907 as of Saturday afternoon, according to a tally compiled by John Hopkins University from government figuresAs the global death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 200,000 on Saturday, some countries took cautious steps toward easing lockdowns imposed amid the pandemic, but fears of a surge in infections made even some outbreak-wounded businesses reluctant to reopen.

Spain relaxes lockdown after seven weeks of home confinement Prime Minister Sánchez also announced he would present a detailed plan on the “de-escalation” of the lockdown on Tuesday Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says that Spaniards will be allowed to leave their homes for short walks and exercise starting on May 2 after seven weeks of strict home confinement.

Vodka, saunas, lockdown resistance and a gradual return to normal life: The countries taking a different approach to the coronavirus pandemicThe majority of countries around the world have enforced strict lockdown measures in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus but some have taken different paths in the face of the pandemic.

Grim milestones: Coronavirus cases top 2 million worldwide, New York surpasses 10,000 deaths Doctor says outbreak may have peaked in Europe; some lockdown restrictions ease in Italy, SpainNew York’s coronavirus death toll topped 10,000 even as the lack of fresh hot spots in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world yielded a ray of optimism and fueled discussions Monday about how some places might begin to reopen.

Signs of hope in Italy and Spain, but coronavirus deaths rise in U.K. Boris Johnson hospitalized; Italy reports lowest number of deaths since March 19Europe saw further signs of hope in the coronavirus outbreak Sunday as Italy’s daily death toll was at its lowest in more than two weeks and its infection curve was finally on a downward slope. In Spain, new deaths dropped for the third straight day.

What’s essential? In France, pastry and wine; in the U.S., golf and guns Attempting to slow the spread of the virus, authorities in many places are determining which shops and services can remain openThe coronavirus pandemic is defining for the globe what’s “essential” and what things we really can’t do without, even though we might not need them for survival.

European stocks and U.S. futures jump amid tentative signs of Italy curbing virus spreadEuropean stocks rose on Tuesday amid tentative signs that the coronavirus spread is slowing in Italy, one of the worst-hit countries, as negotiations continued on a U.S. stimulus package.

Sparking hope, Italy’s new coronavirus cases fall for a second dayItaly has recorded a smaller day-to-day increase in new coronavirus cases for the second straight day, officials said Monday while cautioning it was too soon to know if the worst is behind the country with the world’s second-biggest caseload.

Spain may be a week ahead of the U.S. in its coronavirus quarantine: Here’s what you can learn from its experience Reporting from the front line of a pandemicAs coronavirus cases climb in Madrid, one MarketWatch reporter gets a firsthand feel for what it’s like to live under a citywide quarantine. Here’s what Americans need to know to get ready.

European Union lashes out at Trump’s ‘unilateral’ travel ban on Europe“The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation,” EU Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement.

Another reason to combat the obesity epidemic: scientists say overeating contributes to climate change Obesity is blamed for approximately 20% more greenhouse gas emissions when compared to people considered to have normal weight, the study concludesObesity is blamed for approximately 20% more greenhouse gas emissions when compared to people considered to have normal weight, the study concludes.

Lagarde passes first ECB test, stays the course while pledging ‘strategic review’After chairing the central bank’s governing council, she signalled continuity with the loose monetary policies designed by her predecessor Mario Draghi. But she also indicated that she would stick to her own style of communicating with market

Bank of England refuses to choose between growth and Brexit risk Rates kept steady at 0.75% as Bank sees uncertainty recedingTwo out of 9 members vote for rate cut in what could be seen as a dovish move to fight a Brexit slump

Pro soccer players are more likely to die from dementia: Study Study results raise fresh concerns about head-related risks from playing the sportStudy results raise fresh concerns about head-related risks from playing the sport.

Protests erupt after Spain gives Catalan secessionists lengthy prison sentences Dozens hurt in Barcelona airport clash between protesters, policeNine of the Catalans on trial received between nine and 13 years in prison.

Peloton’s fiercest rival in the battle for home fitness dominance could be this company from Italy Technogym to start streaming service on its equipment that will pose a challenge to Peloton InteractiveMilan-listed Technogym is set to make its foray into streaming-online-fitness classes via digital platforms on its machines, putting the firm on a collision course with popular Peloton Interactive

Banks worth $47 trillion adopt UN-backed climate pact — but only 3 of the top 10 Some 30 banks have joined the additional and more stringent ‘Collective Commitment to Climate Action’Banks with more than $47 trillion collectively in assets signed on to the United Nations-backed responsible banking principles for climate action rolled out this week. Yet only three of the world’s 10 largest banks joined the coalition of 130 signatories.

Teen girls’ social-media obsession exposes them to cyberbullying and wrecks their sleep Meanwhile, a teen has gone viral for desperately tweeting via her family’s smart refrigerator after her mom took away her phoneMeanwhile, a teen has gone viral for desperately tweeting via her family’s smart refrigerator after her mom took away her phone.

How China could wrest global leadership from U.S. at the G-20 It’ll be ‘The Art of War’ vs. ‘The Art of the Deal’ — guess which one winsDonald Trump has called a meeting where the outcome is beyond his control. We expect Xi to exercise his unilateral power to refuse any concessions to the United States, writes Carl Weinberg.

Why you should ‘keep your eyes open’ during this June rally Critical information for the U.S. trading dayThe Dow Jones Industrial Average, bolstered by the Fed’s return to its easy-money mind-set, is on pace for its best June since 1938. And, the S&P 500, as of Friday’s intraday high, was up 7.7%, putting the broad-market gauge on track to be the sixth best June ever. What could possibly go wrong?

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